Myanmar’s military junta has declared a three-week ceasefire in its ongoing civil war with ethnic rebel groups, marking a rare pause in the country’s violent conflict. The announcement came just a day after the military confirmed that its soldiers had fired on a Chinese convoy delivering humanitarian aid to victims of last week’s devastating earthquake.
The ceasefire, set to last until April 22, was declared as a show of compassion for those affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake, which left more than 3,000 dead, nearly 4,500 injured, and hundreds still missing. It is the first ceasefire since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup, plunging Myanmar into turmoil and sparking widespread resistance from opposition and ethnic armed groups.
While the military has pledged to halt combat for the next 20 days, it warned that it would take “necessary countermeasures” if rebel groups attacked or attempted to seize new territory. This ceasefire offers a brief respite to civilians, particularly Muslim ethnic minorities, who have borne the brunt of the ongoing conflict.
The earthquake, which caused widespread destruction, has further complicated the situation in Myanmar. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors amidst the rubble, but many areas remain inaccessible, and communication has been severed in several regions. The junta’s military strikes against rebel-held areas have raised concerns about the distribution of aid, with rights groups and rebel factions reporting that the military has blocked aid from reaching certain regions.
Tensions escalated further when soldiers fired on a Chinese convoy in Mandalay, which was delivering relief supplies. The Chinese government confirmed that its aid workers were safe, although the military spokesperson claimed the convoy failed to stop when ordered, despite entering a conflict zone without prior notice.
In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, several rebel factions, including the People’s Defense Force and the Three Brotherhood Alliance, had earlier announced their own ceasefires, urging the military to follow suit. However, analysts caution that transforming this temporary pause into a lasting peace will require substantial diplomatic efforts.
As Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of the earthquake, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing is attending a regional summit in Thailand, drawing criticism due to the ongoing crisis in his country. This is his first visit to a non-allied country since Myanmar’s coup in 2021.
